Eph 4:30
There are various ways in which we can grieve the Spirit and consequently hinder His work.
1. By resisting Him – Acts 7:51
2. By grieving Him – Eph 4:30
3. By quenching Him – 1 Thess 5:19
Resisting Him – Acts 7:51
God by His Spirit had been striving mightily with the men of Israel, seeking to lead them to repentance and the acceptance of Christ.
They utterly refused to hear.
Once more through Stephen, He addresses them in Acts 7, but the only result produced was that “they were cut to the heart and they gnashed on him with their teeth.”
This being so the charge was hurled against them “Ye do always resist the Holy Ghost.”
As it is with the nation of Israel then, so it is with individuals now.
People do still resist the Holy Spirit when under conviction.
No one knows how long He will strive with a person who resists.
Grieving the Holy Spirit. Eph. 4:30
The scriptures testify that the Spirit of God is holy and that He is a Person.
At conversion He indwells the believer, His Presence making the body the temple of God – Holy.
What know ye that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.
Being when God the Spirit, the presence of any sin in the life grieves Him, so when the apostle makes his appeal not to grieve Him, he virtually is saying do not allow anything in the life contrary to the holiness of the Spirit.
Sin grieves Him – anything that grieves Him is sin.
Any of the aforementioned sins if allowed in ones life would grieve Him beyond measure.
But generally speaking believers in communion do not commit these sins, so we must look for further causes of grief.
Euodious and Syntyche -- Be of the same mind, Phil 4
Sad Christian … be over anxious for nothing.
A defeated Christian – Rom 8 – Failing to use His gifts grieves Him
Idle words – gossip –the flesh
A person’s outward conduct may be exemplary yet within there can lurk elements which cause grief to the Holy Spirit.
An unyielded Christian is a grief to the Spirit. Refusing to follow His leading … resisting His will. The Spirit’s ministry being denied, no longer being able to direct – is a grief to Him.
Let us for instance consider the scriptures as an album of pictures.
The pictures are all about the same glorious Person. He shall glorify me.
The Holy Spirit is intent upon describing His beauty, His love, His glory. If we do not listen nor examine the pictures, because we are taken up with the things of the world, He will close the album, He will stop ministering Christ to our hearts and will withhold His joy and blessing.
Paul said, “Do not grieve him.”
If we do not grieve Him what is the Remedy?
We must confess our sins – 1 John 1:9
We should ask God to show us the seriousness of our sin.
The confession of sin is a heart searching ministry which is often neglected.
The result of this neglect is coldness – indifference – disinterest – lack of spiritual joy.
We must confess (1 John 1:9) … Note where this verse (If we confess our sins, etc.) is found, in the centre of a passage dealing with fellowship with God.
Confession of sin brings into effect the advocacy of the Lord, and also removes the cause of grief to the Holy Spirit.
Quote v. 31-32, This gives Him pleasure. 1 Thess 5:19 – quench not.